10 Glasgow 2014 Memories

With the Commonwealth Games getting under way about a year ago, here are 10 things you might remember about Glasgow 2014.

1. It was sunny.

The host city was sizzling during the opening days of the Games. A mini heatwave saw temperatures hover above 27C (80.6F) and visitors stocked up on bottled water and sun cream. In a city more accustomed to cloud and rain (even in the summer months), Glasgow's weather was as warm as the welcome. But the second week of events saw a return to normal business as showers set in and umbrellas were used to shelter from the rain and not as sun shades.

2. Dancing teacakes, cute Scottie dogs and that kiss.

The opening ceremony at Celtic Park marked the official start of the Games with a Scottish welcome full of humour, music and a major fundraising appeal. A squad of dancers dressed as Tunnocks teacakes proved an unexpected hit (and saw sales soar). Glasgow-born entertainer John Barrowman kissed a male cast member at a mock Gretna Green in the colourful show - a move which was hailed as a snub to homophobia in Commonwealth countries which criminalise homosexuality. But the jacketed Scottie dogs leading out the 71 teams were the stars of the night as they trotted around the stadium to cheers from the 40,000 strong crowd.

3. Usain Bolt's arrival created a bit of a storm.

When the world's fastest man touched down in Glasgow on day four of the Games, he undeniably added a little stardust to proceedings. Appearing in front of the world's media within hours of arriving, the Jamaican sprinter confirmed he would compete in the 4x100m relay on the final day. But he did not just face questions about his form ahead of the race and was quizzed on topics as wide-ranging as the Scottish independence referendum and kilts. However, it was later in the week when he was forced to deny reports that he had slurred the Games to a journalist, going on to describe the event as "awesome'' - although he did admit he was not a fan of the "too cold'' weather. He wrapped up his time in Glasgow with a lap of honour after landing his first Commonwealth gold medal. He entertained the crowds at a rain-soaked Hampden Park, posing for selfies with a Jamaican flag and a Scottish Saltire draped over his shoulders while donning a tartan hat and scarf.

4. Everyone loved a selfie.

Athletes, visitors, officials and even royalty all got involved in the craze. But one hockey player scored the top goal on social media when she captured an image of herself alongside the Queen. Australian athlete Jayde Taylor was posing for a photo with a team-mate when the Queen appeared in the background smiling over her shoulder. The hockey player then posted the picture on Twitter, writing: "Ahhh The Queen photo-bombed our selfie!!'' It immediately swept the social media world, being retweeted thousands of times.

5. The mail man delivered.

Motherwell boxer Charlie Flynn won gold and provided a moment that will live long in the memory with his post-victory interview when he declared he was "buzzing like a jar of wasps'', before the former postal worker fought back the tears while bellowing out an emotional rendition of Flower of Scotland. The boxer, who turned professional following the Games, said after his gold-winning performance: ''The mail man has delivered once again. They all call me a skiver at work but that's how I've got such good movement - from ducking and diving behind the bags. I'll be wanting my own parking space when I go back now."

6. The Games' youngest medallist stole the show in the pool.

Shetland schoolgirl Erraid Davies won Commonwealth hearts with a bronze medal winning swim. Aged 13, she became an instant Scottish crowd favourite as she was roared on to finish third in the para-sport 100m breaststroke final. She took a standing ovation in her stride following the medal ceremony which saw her smile light up Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

7. The world went crazy for a cuddly toy.

A green thistle-man with purple hair called Clyde was the official mascot of the Games. Designed by a 12-year-old girl, the cuddly version of the mascot flew off the shelves and outstripped T-shirts and badges to become the Games' most popular item of merchandise. With more than 46,000 cuddly Clydes purchased in under a month, the item soon sold out.

8. Love was in the air.

Wedding bells were ringing during the 11 days of competition, with wedding proposals in front of cheering crowds. First to pop the question was Team Scotland cyclist Chris Pritchard who proposed to his girlfriend after finishing his race at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. Later in the day, fellow Scottish cyclist Aileen McGlynn was celebrating after her boyfriend asked her to marry him. Both said yes. Meanwhile, a rugby fan stunned his girlfriend with a surprise proposal in front of a crowd of thousands during the Sevens competition at Ibrox.

9. New swimming stars emerged.

When Ross Murdoch snatched gold in the 200m breaststroke from Games poster boy Michael Jamieson, no-one looked more shocked than wide-eyed Murdoch himself. The Scot beat his team-mate along with established stars such as Australian Christian Sprenger and South Africa's Cameron van der Burgh on the opening night. At 20 years old, he spoke emotionally about "the best thing that ever happened to me'' after shedding tears during the medal ceremony following his swim which produced a British and Comonwealth record. Murdoch also bagged bronze in the 100m breaststroke but he was joined in the limelight by Dan Wallace, who shot to fame with gold in the 400m individual medley when he captured the imagination with his Braveheart-style celebration.

10. The hosts won lots of medals.

The Team Scotland target was to break their record 33-medal haul but that was surpassed halfway through the Games when the men's gymnastics team finished second to ensure their first-ever podium place. Two boxing golds saw them pass the 50 mark on the penultimate day and they soon made sure they would more than double their 2010 tally of 26, as well as finishing fourth in the medals table. But a set of sporting stars gave the Scottish people collective memories they will never forget, with other lasting images from the Games including bowls hero Alex Marshall's celebration after a match-winning shot against England and the heroism and determination of Lynsey Sharp in winning 800m silver on the track despite being dogged by illness. It was Team England who topped the medal table with a whopping 58 golds, followed by Australia in second and Canada in third.

The latest statistics from admissions body Ucas, published as pupils south of the border received exam results on Thursday, outline that 16.5% of 18-year-old applicants from England accepted to university were from the poorest areas.